Make a Fashion-Forward Ombré Tablecloth
Create a dashing dip-dye effect on a canvas drop cloth the easy way with this DIY project
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over at Lauren Elise Crafted where I highlight crafts, DIYs and tutorials, photography, vintage finds, and all things lovely.
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over... More »
Ombré, big in fashion, can also be infused into your home decor. And when you apply the gradient effect to your favorite pieces yourself, you have control over the result, making it bold and bright or more subtle to suit your palette.
This DIY outdoor tablecloth will show you an easy alternative to the dip-dyeing technique. All you need is a spray bottle, fabric dye and a painter’s drop cloth.
This DIY outdoor tablecloth will show you an easy alternative to the dip-dyeing technique. All you need is a spray bottle, fabric dye and a painter’s drop cloth.
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Pull together a colorful tabletop for summertime barbecues on the patio. Or bring it along to picnics at the park. It is durable enough to be a picnic blanket and easy to wash when it gets dirty.
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| 1. Determine where you will hang your canvas for painting, preferably somewhere outside. Protect surfaces from overspray with plastic sheeting. Use clips or clamps to hang up both canvas and plastic drop cloth. |
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| 2. Put on protective rubber gloves. Fill your spray bottle with water and add the fabric dye. (A little dye can go a long way.) Shake the bottle to mix the color. Test the color saturation on scrap fabric. |
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| Tip: Two spray bottles were used in this example; one that had a mist setting and another that had a direct stream. For lighter color, shoot on the mist setting and for darker hues, shoot with a concentrated stream. |
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3. Put the spray bottle on the mist setting and start spraying the canvas. At first the color will be very faint, but continue to spray and layer to deepen the hue. The color saturation also varies depending on how close or far you are to the canvas, so try mixing it up.
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4. When you want to add darker color, adjust the spray bottle to a stream setting. The edges of this canvas were sprayed with a direct stream of dye multiple times to get the ombré effect. The center was left very light for contrast.
5. Allow the canvas to dry before use. Iron if necessary.
5. Allow the canvas to dry before use. Iron if necessary.
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Canvas drop cloth is a durable material that will weather well outdoors.
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Your tablecloth can serve as an outdoor area rug by the pool too. If you find the canvas moves around too much, use a nonslip rug pad underneath to keep it in place.
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Also try mixing colors and creating patterns while spraying. Get creative and encourage the whole family to participate. This is a fun project for kids — but be sure they are protected and wearing grubby clothes, as they might go a little crazy with the spray bottles.
More ombré inspiration:
Ombré Cake Colors for Your Home
More ombré inspiration:
Ombré Cake Colors for Your Home
Ideabook published on June 21, 2012.
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